[Boston—Wednesday, 25 September 1867]
Wednesday morning. Perfect weather, mornings cool.
Yesterday afternoon we passed at the Minots, out of town on their beautiful place and came home with hands full of exquisite salvias, verbena etc. They told us Fanny Kemble had just arrived in the morning at the Revere. The old man has just now celebrated his 84 birthday. They miss Miss Sedgwick!
Sir Frederick Bruce was buried yesterday. Longfellow came in town at Mr Sumner’s solicitation to attend. Afterward he went in to see Mr Fields. “I hate funerals” he said evidently shocked at the cold ceremonial he had witnessed “we all had to go into that vulgar old crypt at Trinity!” His impatience and that word “vulgar” made J. laugh heartily wh. proved good physic for the poet who was soon ready to laugh at himself in turn.
